Dems Laud Governor's Results On New Medicaid Options

Now that lawmakers know the state can opt to insure individuals eligible for a federal Medicaid expansion on private insurance exchanges, lawmakers in both parties are indicating expansion may be more likely for Arkansas.

Democrats in the state House of Representatives laid out their plans Wednesday at the Capitol to strengthen jobs, healthcare and education during this legislative session. Representative Reginald Murdoch of Marianna says recent developments in the state’s options for expanding Medicaid are good news and will go far to get Republicans and Democrats working together on the state’s healthcare issues.

“Hopefully we as legislators and a General Assembly come together, and again always put politics aside and put the people of Arkansas first, but I think the Governor has done a good job of that. He heard the other side, he heard the other side, he heard the issues that we were facing and he went and did something about it,” Murdoch said.

Republicans and Democrats have both spoken positively of the new developments in the state’s options for expanding Medicaid.